Juvenile Diversion Programs

The act makes several changes and clarifications to current juvenile diversion programs (diversion), including:

• Clarifying the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety's (division) authority over all programs funded with diversion money;
• Clarifying that diversion funding may be allocated to entities other than district attorneys' offices;
• Requiring eligibility criteria for diversion be made public;
• Establishing that a juvenile is eligible to divert if the juvenile meets the eligibility criteria;
• Clarifying that an approved validated assessment tool may be used for decisions on the length of supervision and necessary services;
• Clarifying that a risk screening tool is to be used to inform the level and intensity of supervision;
• Establishing a clear process for data collection so the division can properly evaluate its diversion programs; and
• Creating a clearer process and role for the division in the allocation process.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)